Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Stating that attending the ceremony has become a tradition for him and said, “Meticulous assessments are conducted following assessments. I congratulate those receiving awards here today. This ceremony has become a tradition for me. Kocaeli has made it into a tradition.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Five provinces organize this ceremony together. There is grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent. As long as that unity exists, Rifat should be here. I am wherever unity is. The Greater Municipality Director never leaves the private sector alone. That is what we want from our municipality directors. Kocaeli is the apple in Turkey’s eye.”

Providing information regarding Kocaeli and Brand Region economy, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Kocaeli is not just a city anymore. It has come to the point of competing with countries. Turkey’s foreign investments were at a level of 1 billion USD 12 years ago. Today, the foreign investment volume into just Kocaeli does not fall below 1 billion USD. Kocaeli is at the level of Turkey 12 years ago. I am also from Kocaeli. We should recognize the worth of these lands. Every year, foreign investors line up to invest in Kocaeli.

43 of Turkey’s top 500 companies are from Kocaeli. It has grown by 2.5 times in the last 10 years. Headquarters of many companies operating in Kocaeli are located in İstanbul. Add those, and the numbers go even higher. Of the second 500, the number of companies which was only 17 10 years ago, it has reached 34 today.

You have increased the exports from the region by 132% in 5 years, its employment by 142%. You’ve accomplished this despite political and economic upheaval in our neighbors. None other than you could have done this.

Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Board Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu reported that recent developments have caused fluctuations in the economy, stating that various projects are unable to be implemented due to structural problems.

Kocaeli Greater Municipality Director İbrahim Karaosmanoğlu praised industrialists, emphasizing that their production, the taxes they pay and the employment they generate provide means and ways for the people.

- Attendance from five provinces

Attending the award ceremony held in partnership by along with the Kocaeli Chamber of Commerce, PWC Turkey, East Marmara ABİGEM Inc., East Marmara Development Agency and CNN Turk;coordinated by Bolu, Düzce, Sakarya and Yalova Chambers of Commerce and Industry were TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Kocaeli Governor Ercan Topaca, Kocaeli Greater Municipality Director İbrahim Karaosmaoğlu, Kocaeli University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Alin Demirci, KSO Council President Hasan Tahsin Tuğrul, Kocaeli Chamber of Commerce Council President Bülent Karagöz, Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Board Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, Kocaeli Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman Murat Özdağ, Gulf Commerce Chamber Board Chairman Mustafa Efe, Sakarya, Bolu, Yalova, Düzce Chamber Presidents and industrialist.